Monday, 30 April 2012

Michael Okumu from CI
member organisation YEN,
Kenya, advises consumers to educate themselves about a bank’s products and
services before they sign up.

Ignorance is truly a fatal disease that increases consumers’
vulnerability. Uneducated consumers buy products and services that do not meet
their expectations and then quietly, or never, complain.

On 15 March, the world celebrated World
Consumer Rights Day, a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of
consumers exercising their rights and responsibilities.

In Kenya, consumer protection is still non-existent with
very few mechanisms of redress and a pervasive lack of knowledge of one’s
rights as a consumer. This can be compounded by gaps in service delivery by
dishonest service providers.

Here are some of the biggest problems for financial
consumers in Africa:

Accessibility

Accessibility is a real problem
in Africa as consumers often have to travel long distances from rural areas to
get a specific service. The introduction of deposit-taking shops has eased the
problem slightly but they do not address all the issues relating to
accessibility.

Lack of ATMs

ATMs are not available everywhere,
denying people access to their money and causing consumers to have to pay
additional fees for drawing money from ATMs other than those their bank provides.
Banks need to be more innovative to provide affordable services for all,
everywhere.

Hidden fees

Hidden fees are another problem.
Taking out loans or enjoying certain services requires close scrutiny by
consumers because, in the long run, the high interest rates add up and many
consumers are unaware of this at the onset.

Low interest

Low interest on savings is
another problem still. Some consumers will question whether it is worth saving
in a bank if the interest rates are so minimal. Mobile phone services provide
an alternative to saving money in a bank as there are no ledger fees,
account opening fees, balance statement fees, etc, but there is also no interest.

When choosing a bank, consumers
need to have a ‘courtship’ period. Gathering background information about a
bank is very important because it gives you an idea about the bank’s character
in terms of stability, reputation, social responsibility and potential. All of
these are key for consumers not only to make good choices but to protect
themselves from any eventualities.

Evaluate offers closely

Consumers need to keenly evaluate
exciting offers and take them up only if they suit them. Consulting with
friends or financial advisors would be an added advantage in ensuring that you
pick the best financial product or service.

Avoid banks you aren’t
sure about

It is also prudent to avoid
adversely-named banks that could have evaded taxes or banks with a high
turnover of staff as this could signal board wrangles, theft or mistreated staff.

Avoid downsizing banks

Also avoid banks that could be reducing
their networks. They often do not warn their customers that they are doing
this.

Ask about the complaints
desk

A good bank should have a receptive
complaints desk with an elaborate mechanism of redress that is accessible and
responsive.

Consumers in Kenya should exercise their rights, keeping in
mind that the new constitution provides protection as we wait for the Consumer
Protection Bill to be passed which will further harness consumer rights and
responsibilities.

And remember—if your bank only looks good in the
advertising, then look for an alternative rather than ending up in a
relationship that doesn’t work.